It Happened in Bismarck...

Problems encountered by retail business men will be discussed at a conference in the Bismarck Association of Commerce, August 28, with H. P. Goddard, association secretary in charge of arrangements. F. E. Sperling of St. Paul will outline better sales methods for stores.

August 9, 1962

Cast members of the "Custer Drama" at Fort Lincoln State Park picketed the North Dakota Capitol today in an effort to spark lagging ticket sales. Unless more local residents attend the outdoor show, it will have to fold next week.

August 10, 1887

The first pipe laid on the Bismarck water works was lowered yesterday on Rosser Street, in McKenzie & Coffin's Addition. Thirty-five men are now at work ditching and laying pipe and there is work for sixty-five more.

August 10, 1937

Whether Bismarck householders will consent to having a gong rung in their ears at odd moments of the day in return for what may be more efficient police protection is being considered by the city fathers. Six call boxes would be scattered about the city to summon police by ringing a loud gong.

August 10, 1962

An intensive ticket drive for the American Legion Little World Series beginning August 28, is currently under way in Bismarck and the surrounding area. The baseball classic matches eight regional champions from throughout the country.

August 9, 1912

Amos Robidou, one of Bismarck's pioneer residents and owner of considerable property on the south side, was taken suddenly ill with heart trouble and died at his home this afternoon. He moved here from Sauk Centre, Minnesota, in 1878.

August 10, 1912

Henry Tatley announces the construction of a four story addition to the Grand Pacific Hotel on the corner of Broadway and Fourth Street. It will be completed this fall and will give the business 140 rooms. The cost is about $150,000.

August 11, 1887

Walter Breen, the newly elected Treasurer of the Pioneer Hose Company, is the happy father of a bouncing baby which from the nature of its sex will never be a fireman.

August 11, 1937

A team of boys representing the Bismarck Park Board's junior high school baseball squad will journey to Wilton Thursday to meet a similarly-aged team of Wilton youngsters in a return engagement. The local team is coached by C. W. Leifur, city recreation chief.

August 11, 1962

Low bids totaling over $250,000 were opened by the Bismarck Library Board this week and Andrew Hansen, City Librarian, said that contracts would be signed before the week was out. Work will start shortly with completion set for May 18, 1963.

August 11, 1912

One of the latest changes in business circles occurred when Jack Lyons moved his restaurant from the Hougland Building on east Main to the Weeks Building on Fifth Street. He can now serve the public to a better advantage than ever.

August 12, 1887

Dr. W. A. Burleigh of Miles City, who for two terms did Dakota honor in the halls of Congress and for whom Burleigh County was named, arrived in the city yesterday. The "doctor" is one of the ablest lawyers in the Northwest and as fine an artist in sarcasm as ever scathed a foe.

August 12, 1937

The complicated problem that relief is---its human tragedy, its legal complexity and its burden---is now being emphasized by the removal proceedings against a number of non-resident indigent families living in Burleigh County.

August 12, 1962

The price of regular gasoline at filling stations here today was running at 32.9 cents per gallon with premium prices at 36.9.

August 12, 1912

Virginia Butler, Mrs. William E. Butler, has reopened the Butler photo studio which has been closed since her husband's death. She is now equipped to provide the best service in taking portraits in the homes of her clients.

August 13, 1887

Loud complaint is made that numerous sportsmen are violating the game laws, and it is said that the offenders in too many instances are members of one or the other of the gun clubs.

August 13, 1937

Caught stealing corn in a Bismarck farmer's field, two thieves were brought into Sheriff Fred Anstrom's office today. They were released when the farmer showed consideration the thieves lacked and refused to press charges against the men.

August 13, 1962

A 16-year-old youth who broke out of the State Industrial School a week ago and leaped to freedom from the top of the new addition on the Burleigh County Courthouse was back in custody again today. He was arrested in a parked car Sunday morning.

August 13, 1912

Landlord Ed Patterson has been making some extensive improvements in the McKenzie Dairy Lunch room, including an enlarged floor space and a new terrazzo floor. When completed the room will be quite commodious.

August 14, 1887

Barnet Israel of the Jewish settlement at Painted Woods, proved up on his five year homestead. He was allowed the time he was kept off the claim by the antagonistic colored gentleman in 1883, who thought he had some claim to the same tract.

August 14, 1937

Stopping suddenly on Memorial Bridge when the car ahead ran out of gas, an auto driven by H. W. Griffith was rammed by the car immediately behind it, driven by Paul Willman, Jr. Elmer Hanson of Minneapolis drove the vehicle which ran out of gas.

August 14, 1962

Speaking in favor of a four-story 300-car parking ramp on the Northern Pacific Plaza, parking lot operator M. B. Sandison noted that "downtown Bismarck must provide sufficient parking if it is to prosper and compete with shopping centers."

August 14, 1912

Oliver M. Kelso, the inventor of a patent poison bottle, has moved his family to Bismarck from New England, N.D. The invention provides a bottle and stopper which is equipped with arms which are expanded when the stopper is removed.

August 15, 1887

A good audience assembled at the Presbyterian Church last evening to her the renowned Philip Phillips sing his journey around the world; both song and description being illustrated by beautiful panoramic pictures thrown upon a canvas 20 feet square.

August 15, 1937

Sixteen women's softball teams will open play in the First Missouri Slope Women's Softball Tournament here Sunday at 9 a.m., with the winner to be named before sundown. All games will be played at the new four-diamond field three blocks north of Hughes Field.

August 15, 1962

For the weekend, Sundahl's Jack and Jill Food Market on West Broadway offered Swift's Premium Beef Roads at 45 cents a pound and ground beef, "Bismarck's Finest," three pounds for $1.39.

August 15, 1912

A unique demonstration will be given in the Bijou Theatre tomorrow night by the B. F. Goodrich Co. of Akron, Ohio, to familiarize motorists with the methods employed in collecting and manufacturing rubber for automobile tires.

August 16, 1887

Lawyer Byrne of Columbus, Ohio, owner of the old Hayes Farm, expects ten bushels per acre of wheat this year. He thinks he knows what is required to guard against a short crop.

August 16, 1937

Not content with broiling Bismarck and the vicinity with 100-degree temperatures over the weekend, Mother Nature added the lash of raging wind that caused considerable damage to vegetation. The storm lasted seven minutes and left 0.43 of an inch of rain.

August 16, 1962

Burleigh County Justice Gerald Glaser has ruled that state law prohibits sale of aspirin tablets ass well as other drugs, through vending machines and found Robert Fink, local cafe operator, guilty of violating that law.

August 16, 1912

New plans for the City Auditorium drawn by Bismarck architect Arthur Van Horn have proved considerably less expensive than those of Reed & Stem of Minneapolis in terms of material costs, coming in much less than the original estimate of $85,000.

August 17, 1887

Eber H. Bly left for Alaska yesterday and will be absent seven weeks. He goes for pleasure and the improvement of his health. The water works building will continue during his absence.

August 17, 1937

Bismarck's new "home-made" street flusher was to get---or to give, strictly speaking---its baptism on the city's streets today. The black-and-silver truck, with a 1600 gallon tank, powerful suction pump and three spray heads, was inspected and approved by the commission last night.

August 17, 1962

"Kidnapping" of the Governor this week by the cast of the "Custer Drama" raised a question here as to just what security measures are provided for the official family. Mrs. Guy says they rely on the State Highway Patrol to provide such protection as they require.

August 17, 1912

Frank Lincoln Watkins, a Methodist minister employed by the North Dakota Enforcement League has proved highly skilled in gathering the evidence that is ridding Burleigh County and Bismarck of the "blind pig nuisance."

August 18, 1887

Cheap Jake, the invincible of Fourth Street, says he can defy all competitors and place before the people of the Missouri Slope the finest line of furniture and second hand goods as can be obtained west of St. Paul.

August 18, 1937

Expansion of the Fleck automobile enterprises of Bismarck was announced as Jack A. Fleck, manager of the Fleck Motor Sales, Inc., reported purchase of an interest in the Mitchell Chevrolet of Fargo. Fleck will become active manager on September 1.

August 18, 1962

Midway Lanes, Inc., located between Bismarck and Mandan on U.S. 10, held its grand opening this week-end. The structure is an Inland Steel building and is equipped with Brunswick Gold Crown bowling lanes.

August 18, 1912

Since the twine plant was established at the North Dakota State Prison in 1900 this factory has turned out approximately 25,000,000 pounds of binder twine. As a conservative estimate, the farmers of North Dakota use 20,000,000 pounds of twine annually.

August 19, 1887

At yesterday's meeting of the county commissioners a resolution was adopted which provides that subpoenas be issued for all persons receiving aid from the county and that the Sheriff is to see that app appear before the board for examination.

August 19, 1937

Drunkenness and traffic ordinance violations continued as the most frequently-occurring offenses in Bismarck during the year ending June 3, according to the Police Department's annual report. 276 inebriated persons were arrested during that time.

August 19, 1962

Math Dahl, Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor, is campaigning against an effort to legalize sale of whole fish flour, which he describes as "being made from the eyes, scales, fins, intestines---and the Lord only knows what else---of scrub fish."

August 19, 1912

In what amounted to a straw vote on the question of how much to spend on the new City Auditorium, Bismarck voters chose to adopt a new set of plans which would produce a building costing less than $85,000.

August 20, 1887

W. H. Stimpson, the Main Street fruiterer, received last night the largest shipment of fruit ever sent from Portland, Oregon, to Bismarck and is prepared to sell at bed rock prices the freshest and most luscious products of the Pacific orchards and vineyards.

August 20, 1937

The best women's softball team in Bismarck is the Triangle Ten, which finished tops in the league standings and went to the finals of the women's tournament.

August 20, 1962

Proposals for a permanent state board of educational television was discussed at a meeting of the North Dakota Educational TV Council recently. A bill with this aim will probably be introduced into the legislature during the 1963 session.

August 20, 1912

One of the most interesting features of the Second Annual North Dakota Industrial Exposition to be held in Bismarck October 1 to 13, will be a historical pageant which will be presented on Old Settlers' Day, October 9.

August 21, 1887

The Northern Pacific Railroad Company have been busy driving piles and strengthening the culverts along the road between the city and the bridge. This move was suggested by what seems to be the epidemic of disasters now reported around the country in consequence of defective culverts and bridges.

August 21, 1937

Nuisance abatement proceedings against the Northern Hide and Fur Company's rendering plant east of Bismarck were begun by the state of North Dakota Friday. Complaints were received from county health and state penitentiary officials.

August 21, 1962

"Bismarck is now less than eight hours away from any major city in the United States," according to Harold Vavra, State Aeronautics Commission director. "Air service out of Bismarck is second to none for a city of its size."

August 21, 1912

Relative to the to the automobile tour which is being planned by the commercial and automobile clubs through the western part of the state, the cars will leave the Bismarck Commercial Club at 6 a.m. Monday morning, weather permitting.

August 22, 1887

The alarm of fire yesterday morning was caused by the explosion of an oil stove over the flour and feed store of P. F. Malone on Sixth Street. The department was on the spot promptly, but its services were not needed.

August 22, 1937

Leo Jaszkowiak, 32, drowned today while swimming in the artificial lake near his father's home northwest of the municipal golf course. The body was not recovered until the evening.

August 22, 1962

Gerald P. Nye, one-time U.S. Senator from North Dakota, arose from the grave in which a magazine article prematurely buried him and gave notice today that---"he is alive and kicking." Nye served in Congress from 1925 to 1945.

August 22, 1912

After three days of demoralized train service on the Northern Pacific railway Bismarck is once again connected with the eastern and western states and all passenger trains are now running on scheduled time.

August 23, 1887

The grader which was throwing the dirt just southeast of the Penitentiary last week has been removed to a point near Apple Creek, where it is now doing good work.

August 23, 1937

As might be expected, the biggest thrill for the largest number of Boy Scouts who attended the National Jamboree in Washington this summer was to travel 90 miles an hour behind a streamlined locomotive.

August 23, 1962

The first triplets in the history of either local hospital were born fifteen years ago tomorrow at the Bismarck Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell of McIntosh, South Dakota. Today they are "doing fine" and still living on the family farm.

August 23, 1912

The organization of Bismarck Business College is now complete and the Secretary of State has issued its official charter. Incorporators are S. A. Danford, A. L. Shute and J. M. Taylor of Bismarck and others from Jamestown, Dickinson and Ashley.

August 24, 1887

The steamer Terry is due from above with her third cargo of wool. She will arrive in four days with a total of 2,600 bales, of 780,000 pounds, nearly as much as any other station on the Northern Pacific has received during a whole season.

August 24, 1937

Additional petitions signed by 176 Bismarck residents protesting "the horrible stench and small that comes from the rendering plant located east of Bismarck" were presented to the county commission yesterday. Most signers live east of Eighth Street.

August 24, 1962

West Allis, Wisconsin, a baseball team that rose from an opening day defeat to reel off five straight victories, will represent Region 6 in the American Legion's Little World Series in Bismarck starting Tuesday. They defeated St. Paul, Minn., 12-5.

August 24, 1912

The schedule for the Get Acquainted Tour of the Bismarck Commercial Club has been released. Eight autos and twenty occupants will leave here August 26, overnight at Dickinson and go south and east via Mott and Flasher, returning to Bismarck on August 28 at supper time.

August 25, 1887

The railroad commissioners held another session yesterday and left last evening for a tour of inspection of the Manitoba System. Commissioners of Immigration McClure accompanies them, and Governor Church has also been invited.

August 25, 1937

By the end of this week, most of the piercing train whistles that have interrupted more than one telephone conversation is Bismarck will be no more than an echo. By agreement between the city and Northern Pacific whistles will blast only in emergencies.

August 25, 1962

Maynard Peterson is the new manager of Pete's Rusco Service, which he plans to operated out of his home at 610 Twenty-second Street. He will handle sales of Rusco windows and doors and Hastings awnings in this area.

August 25, 1912

Artist John Baer of Beach was a Tribune visitor today. Baer designs the attractive cover pages of the Jim Jam Jems magazines, and he has won fame for this and many other efforts.

August 26, 1887

Ex-Mayor Justus Bragg arrived yesterday from Minneapolis to visit his former home. In fact he is not sure but Bismarck will be his home in the future as it was in the past.

August 26, 1937

While Bismarck had $76,050 in Public Works Administration grant money lined up to finance a city paving improvement program, there is no immediate prospect of getting the money. Part of the work was to widen some narrow streets and most property owners refused to give up the necessary land.

August 26, 1962

Minnesota Twins pitcher Jack Kralick threw a no-hit, no-run game against the Kansas City Athletics in an American League thriller in the Twin Cities Sunday. He gave up only one walk; the Twins won, 1-0.

August 26, 1912

A. W. Lucas & Co.'s Department Store in Bismarck is expecting the biggest business rush this fall it has ever experienced in history. The present stock of goods is being fast disposed of at some very low prices.

August 27, 1887

The Devil's Auction theatrical company will appear at the Atheneum Monday, September 5. They carry somewhere about fifty people, and give the finest spectacular play on the road.

August 27, 1937

Seventeen ministers of the Bismarck district of the Evangelical Church will hold a convention here beginning Tuesday and continuing through Sunday, September 5. General theme is "Farther With Christ," the national call of the Evangelical Church.

August 27, 1962

The Bismarck City Commission wasn't kidding when it ordered weeds cut in the Capital City recently. Notices went out to 244 property owners who, according to Vince Kavaney, are "cooperating wonderfully"---for the most part.

August 27, 1912

Residents of Bismarck have received mail from the general delivery window on Sundays for the last time as the local office has received instructions from the Postmaster General that the office should be closed all day on Sundays.

August 28, 1887

J. B. Baker died at the Insane Hospital at Jamestown Sunday. Nearly everybody in Bismarck will recall "Pop" Baker, as he was familiarly called. He ran the City Bottling Works and prospered until suddenly his mind became deranged.

August 28, 1937

Bicycle licenses required under a new city ordinance are now available at the Police station, Chief of Police W. A. Ebeling announced Saturday. Cyclers caught without licenses may be fined up to $100, the ordinance provides.

August 28, 1962

The Dakota Zoo, which appeared to be well on the way after last year's successful start, is in financial difficulty. Officials had thought local service clubs would alternate in providing workers each summer, but admitted "apparently we were wrong."

August 28, 1912

Southern Pacific detectives at San Francisco are seeking to connect Wells Lounsberry, who grew up in Bismarck, with several train robberies which occurred in Oregon during June 1911.

August 29, 1887

The Dakota Ruralist is a new agricultural venture of which ex-Speaker Crose of the last legislature is the editor, and J. C. McManima of the Pierre Free Press, the manager. It has a prosperous look about it.

August 29, 1937

Between 500 and 600 Elks and their families and friends thronged the picnic grounds at the grove on Apple Creek near Menoken today for that lodge's annual get-together. Proceeds will be used to equip a gymnasium within the contemplated new Elks Building.

August 29, 1962

The city commission has signed a lease with the Northern Pacific Railway Co. providing for the use of the N.P. Plaza parking lot for the next five years, at a cost of $5,000 per year plus 35 percent of receipts over $14,200.

August 29, 1912

Bismarck's new, modern and up-to-date hotel, the Grand Pacific, is being fast rushed to completion by a large force of workmen and it is expected to be opened to the traveling public b y October 1 at the latest.

August 30, 1887

The magnificent pair of elk antlers which measured over twelve feet from tip to tip, and which attracted so much attention at the depot last evening, were being shipped by Alex. McKenzie to E. O. Faulkner, of Grafton.

August 30, 1937

Frank Yeater, Bismarck policeman "fired" last week by Police Chief Ebeling, complained to the city commission which restored him to duty, pending the return of Police Commissioner E. B. Klein.

August 30, 1962

Construction of the R. M. Heskett Station---Unit No. 2, north of Mandan, is expected to be completed early next spring. The new 66,000-kilowatt development of the Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. is expected to cost $10,500,000.

August 30, 1912

Mrs. A. B. Welch, proprietor of The Famous, the ladies' furnishings store, has returned from the East where she has been purchasing a large stock of ladies' ready-to-wear fall and winter goods.

August 31, 1887

Farmer Andrews of Cromwell, northeast of town, will move his family into town this week for the purpose of sending his girl to school. They will occupy one of Finlay Dunn's houses on Fourth Street.

August 31, 1937

August 31, 1962

Seven Bismarck schools and two sites in Mandan will be used as centers for distributing the Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine to the general public on Sunday, September 16. Each will be used as "clinics-for-a-day."

August 31, 1912

The Bismarck Business College opens for the fall term on Monday, September 2. Prof. LeRoy S. Crane of Mankato, Minnesota, will be in charge as principal and will also teach bookkeeping and commercial subjects.

September 1, 1887

The electric lamp on the corner of Meigs and Seventh Street fell yesterday and was smashed to smithereens.

September 1, 1937

Hungry, broke and 1,000 miles from home, a 14-year-old Chicago boy was arrested in Bismarck Tuesday driving a car he had stolen only a short while before in Mandan. He spent part of his time in a Mandan "hobo jungle."

September 1, 1962

Many North Dakotans headed out today for the Labor Day weekend and the last big fling of the summer before school resumes and life settled down, sans sun tan oil, fishing gear and water skiis.

September 1, 1912

Arriving promptly on schedule time, the party of distinguished geographers and scientists who are traveling as guests of the American Geographical Society spent two hours in Bismarck Sunday, while on their way to the Pacific coast.

September 2, 1887

St. Mary's select day school will open September 5, 1887. The course of instruction will embrace every useful and ornamental branch of education suitable for young ladies.

September 2, 1937

A. E. Thompson. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has begun a three-day field study of school conditions in northwestern North Dakota. His itinerary will take him through Mountrail, Divide, Williams and parts of Renville and Ward Counties.

September 2, 1962

The 2nd annual Bismarck Tribune Invitational Golf Tournament got under way at Apple Creek Country Club Saturday. Lee DeForest of Bismarck is defending champion. The course will be open to spectators throughout the tourney.

September 2, 1912

W. C. Wagner was knocked unconscious by two unknown men Sunday night while enroute home and was relieved of 30 dollars in cash and a gold watch. The hold-up took place near the road house on the Fort Lincoln road.

September 3, 1887

W. W. Irwin, the famous criminal lawyer of St. Paul, will arrive in a few days to defend Baker, who is charged with the poisoning of Olsen, who was the only living witness to the murder of Robinson.